Newbie needs advise

Hi all,
I've only just discovered wetpixel, and it sees full of good topics/discussions & loads of quality photos. I'm a relative newbie to the photography lark, although have been getting quite good shots with my current Fuji finepix Z100fd. I now wish to step up a level & invest in my 1st DSLR (preferably a Nikon).
I've been thinking about the D3100 or the D3200 since these are aimed at the newbies like me. I'm into my critters so will mainly be shooting in macro, although I would also like it to incorporate a video function. As well as wanting it primarily for an underwater camera, I also like taking architectural & landscape photos.
Any help/advise in regards to which model would best suit my needs would be appreciated.

Interests:filming/editing/exotic travel. l write reviews of editing software, books, tutorials and Mac based NLE related products for the www.kenstone.net and www.lafcpug.org sites as well as articles for Asian Diver Magazine and wetpixel. I am one of the founding members of the San Diego UnderSea Film Festival

Posted 17 July 2012 - 02:32 PM

It might be helpful if you gave a rough estimate of your budget. Remember, that for the photography end of things you will need strobes as well. For video, video lights. For the DSLR, Nikon or otherwise, a good housing. Welcome to Wetpixel and to the crazy and expensive frustrating but possibly rewarding world of photo and video.
Steve

I have worked as an unpaid reviewer for the editing websites since 2002. Most all hardware and software is sent to me free of charge, however, in no way am I obligated to provide either positive or negative evaluations. Any suggestions I make regarding products are a result of my own, completely, personal opinions and experiences with said products.

If you really want a DSLR and considering all the auxillary costs I really believe it's not a good saving buying the D3200 FOR THIS REASON- the Nikon D3200 lacks a body-integral focus motor, so it can only autofocus with AF-S and AF-I lenses which have the AF motor built in.Lense cost often more then the camera body, so you want to be able to use a wider range then AF-S. Tokina make some great value lenses that this camera can't auto focus with!http://www.dwidigita...?idProduct=4318look at the cost difference- http://www.dwidigita...?idProduct=3132

You need to do a full budget to see the total costs, it can be an eye opener!!!!

I got the d7000 with aquatica ad7000- because I didn't want to spend 25% less money and end up with an ordinary performing rig.....Its going to cost at lest $5000 to have what you are thinking about- camera, housing, lense, ports, strobe/optic cable, batteries, charger, strobe arms and focus light, maybe second hand for some parts might bring it down to your afforblity range.